The 54-gun frigate USS Cumberland, depicted here, was a wooden U.S. naval vessel, launched in 1842 from the Boston Naval Yard. It cruised through the Mediterranean Sea on several voyages, but is perhaps most famous for being rammed and sunk by the CSS Virginia during the First Battle of Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862.

Belonging to Private Marshall H. Downey of the 10th Vermont regiment, this canteen can be identified by the stenciling on the cover. Furthermore, the initials "MDH" are scratched into the spout of the canteen.